By Maria King – Grandmother Extraordiniare and President Event Crazy
I love volunteering. So recently I jumped at the chance when a local event was looking for volunteers. I was told the job consisted of taking food and serving food orders at the counter. I thought, “ I can do that!” I worked my way through freshman year of college at the counter of the local Roy Rogers. If I could say’ “Howdy Partner, how may I serve you?” in a cowgirl outfit and a straight face, I can work a food counter at an event. (I know that was the job where I honed my sarcastic nature because it was necessary for my comebacks, to all the less than dignified responses, from the male customers to that question.)
That experience promoted me to write this week’s theme. It’s a follow up to the blog I wrote encouraging all of you to volunteer a few blogs ago. After that blog, I received so many emails from both potential volunteers and from promoters. The promoters were very thankful for my mentioning volunteering and grateful that they might gets the benefit of more responders. I was glad to help but this week I am turning the tables on the promoters and talking from the volunteer perspective. Here are a few tips: Remember to treat the volunteers with consideration; don’t confuse not paid with not valuable. You know that you need the volunteers. And you know that volunteers become harder and harder to come by every year. All the more reason you need to treat them as a very valuable but limited commodity. Make sure that they get decent assignments, that they get multiple breaks if it’s hot or back breaking work they are doing, make sure that they get all the tools they need to do their assignments and that you show appreciation for their hard work. Most volunteers just need to know that they helped make a difference and that you recognize that contribution. I know it sounds simple but it can get hectic at event time and volunteers can become overlooked. Please don’t make that mistake. It is easy to do.
I will continue to volunteer at events because it’s like a religion to me. I am a lifelong volunteer because anyone who spent 5 minutes in Catholic school knows that volunteering is as necessary as reading or writing. It comes in the curriculum somewhere between fractions and spelling. It starts on the first day of school and lasts a lifetime. And I have never regretted it for a minute. I want to encourage you all to look around for local event opportunities so you can share in that feeling as well. You will have a great time and feel really good when you believe that you helped make a difference, even if only for a little while.
The events this week are all fabulous and such traditions in fall. If there isn’t anything on this list in your area, please use the search box above to find things going on in your backyard. And when you attend any of the events list here this week, be nice to the volunteers. They are there to make sure that you have a good time.
Fall Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet and Corral
Oct 02, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Carlisle Fairgrounds Carlisle, PA17013
Since 1973. The Fall Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet and Corral marks the end of the swap meet season each year and is an absolute must-attend event for thousands of enthusiasts who travel to Carlisle from all points of the globe to buy, sell and celebrate all things automotive. This is a fun-filled weekend the entire family will enjoy. While exploring the 150 acres and 8,100 vending spaces, you will marvel at one of the largest automotive swap meets in the world. Carlisle is the place to purchase any of the 2,000 vehicles at the car corral where you can slip behind the wheel and get a feel for the vehicle. Even better, you can deal directly with the car owner to work out the best price. This is where you can buy, sell and trade with total confidence.
90,000+ Attendees
Newport Antique Auto Hill Climb
Oct 04, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Newport Lions Club Newport, IN47966
Since 1969, an uphill drag race for antique cars, plus a collector car auction, car show for antiques and street rods, flea market and swap meet. Plan to be here and help us run the Newport Hill another year. There will be about 300 competition and 600+ practice attempts at running the “Hill”. Join the competition; run the famous hill; show your car, truck or motorcycle; eat the good food; scour the flea market for stuff, lots of stuff. Join in on the festivities and have fun or just come and check us out. The Hill Climb is not all about classic vehicles, although it is the central theme. It’s about everyone in the family having a good time.
100,000 Attendees
Octoberfest on the River
Oct 04, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Downtown Savannah, GA31402
Since 1978, celebration with German food and beverages, continuous entertainment, including Oompah bands, wiener dog races, arts and crafts and family fun.
200,000 Attendees
California Avacado Festival
Oct 04, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Carpinteria and Linden Avenues Carpinteria, CA93014
Since 1986, The Avocado Festival has evolved into one of the largest festivals in California with three days of fabulous food, terrific music, and great safe family fun. Days of Peace, Love and Guacamole in beautiful downtown beachside Carpinteria! FREE Festival boasting fabulous epicurean delights, entertainment with a premier lineup of music, arts and crafts vendors, commercial marketplace, educational Avocado Expo Tent, contests, Kids Block Party, largest vat of guacamole, environmentally-friendly practices and a great family experience.
80,000 Attendees
Wooly Bear Festival
Oct 06, 2013
Downtown Vermilion, OH44089
Since 1973, the Woollybear Festival turns the small harbor town of Vermilion into a hub of excitement with 50+ vendors. The parade features over 25 high school bands from all over the state. The activities include, caterpillar race, games and entertainment. Bring your family to Vermilion for a day of fun. Celebrate the charming and fuzzy Woolybear caterpillar’s legendary ability to predict winter weather. (If the black band on its back is wide, get set for plenty of snow!) Watch the annual Woolybear forecast, caterpillar races, and a wonderful parade. There’s plenty of arts and crafts and entertainment for everyone! Taking place in various locations throughout the town.
160,000 Attendees
Kentucky Apple Festival
Oct 04, 2013 – Oct 05, 2013
Downtown Paintsville, KY41240
Since 1963, features beauty pageants, apple auction, arts and crafts, cooking contests, mini apple parade, apple festival parade, flea market and more. There are dozens of food booths all conveniently located in the downtown area, you can try one of everything. In addition are the crafts. Crafters come from all over the United States to sell their hand made crafts here at the Apple Festival. So come and join us won’t you, bring the kids and we guarantee that you will find something for everyone, and we know that you and your family will have a great time at the Kentucky Apple Festival.
75,000 Attendees
Apple Festival
Oct 04, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Manypenny Avenue and Broad Street Bayfield, WI54814
Since 1962, parade, arts, crafts and food booths and loads of terrific food. The whole family will enjoy the entertainment. The famous Grand Parade featuring a 500- member “Mass Band”? The countless booths of fresh apple pies, tarts, caramel apples, ciders and other fall treats? Well, YES! Make plans now to experience for yourself all that makes Applefest unquestionably one of the best festivals in October… well, anywhere!
50,000 Attendees
Fells Point Fun Festival
Oct 05, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Fells Point Historic Area Waterfront District Baltimore, MD21298
Since 1967. An outdoor street festival with over 200 merchandise vendors, over 40 food vendors in 4 food courts and over 200 arts and crafts exhibitors selling their creations. Five music stages representing all types of music along with a children’s activity area.
100,000 Attendees
Fall Foliage Festival
Oct 05, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Downtown Bedford, PA15522
Since 1965, antique cars, wagon train parades, 400+ juried craftsmen, a variety of family entertainment, old-fashioned chicken and beef barbeque, scarecrow making, quilting demonstrations, apple cider making and classic 5k run. Parking at the Bedford County Fairgrounds (Business Rt. 30) and OldBedfordVillage (Business Rt. 220) This is held on the weekends only.
70,000 Attendees
Canal Days
Oct 04, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Throughout the Village of Metamora Metamora, IN47030
Since 1969, huge crowds swell this historic town to shop, hundreds of booths of food, arts and crafts and hancrafted items. All local stores stay open throughout the weekend. Forget Venice! The canals of Old Metamora are just as exciting during Canal Days. Watch the streets of this lovely 1838 CanalTown fill with antiques and collectibles and vendors plus thousands of visitors from dawn to dusk.
75,000 Attendees
World’s Largest Garage Sale
Oct 05, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Downtown Warrensburg, NY12885
Since 1981, town-wide flea market with over 1,000 vendors with antiques, crafts, food courts and garage sales. Takes place at various locations throughout the area.
100,000 Attendees
Autumn On Parade
Oct 05, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Downtown Area Oregon, IL 61061
Since 1971, take a castle tour, chase a pig, tug across the Rock River, shop at the farmers market, homemade items from over 100 vendors, watch the strolling entertainers, see the quilt show or attend a classic auto and tractor show. Many of the activities and events take place at the Ogle County Courthouse Square located at the corner of Ill. 64 and Ill. 2 in downtown Oregon. Parade 1pm Sunday.
90,000+ Attendees
Bridge to Bridge Run
Oct 06, 2013
San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace San Francisco, CA94105
Since 1977, Whether you run or walk the 12K or the 7K, you’ll enjoy the views! Both courses start together downtown at the FerryBuilding in the shadow of the BayBridge, then run through Fisherman’s Wharf, along the Marina Green, through beautiful Crissy Field which offers magnificent views of the Golden GateBridge and finally finishing at the historic Parade Grounds in the PresidioNational Park. The GlideFlossBridge to Bridge is a sightseeing tour of San Francisco with beautiful vistas everywhere you turn.
100,000 Attendees
Oktoberfest
Oct 04, 2013 – Oct 06, 2013
Ballpark Market Denver, CO 80202
Since 1970, German festival features food, music, dancing and customs. Don’t miss a long-standing and world-famous German tradition, featuring authentic German attractions, musical oom-pah entertainment, performances by German dancers, heritage booths, interactive arts, traditional Bier Gartens and authentic cuisine. Takes place on the weekends.
300,000 Attendees
Maria can be reached directly at eventsblog@eventcrazy.com or @eventcrazy on Twitter
or visit her website at www.eventcrazy.com
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